Kimkim Trip Reviews for Greece

Angela did an amazing job planning our trip and we had a great time! She listened to our preferences, made changes when necessary, and helpfully answered our many questions. We would definitely use this service again.

There are a couple of things that I think could use an adjustment.

-It would be helpful to communicate if there is a change in the tour. It isn't a huge big deal, but sometimes with children even a small change from what they are expecting can be disappointing. For example, the Cave of Zeus has been closed over 5 months and it is still listed in the itinerary for one of the Crete tours. Luckily our tour guide knew of another cave that we were able to see, but it would have been nice to know ahead of time.

-The timing of the Sea & Land tour in Santorini is not accurate. The Sea part is about 6 hours, but if you add in the Land part it brings it to 9 hours. This can make a big difference when you are planning meals, etc because we didn't pack a lunch or have time to grab something between the Land & Sea part. The meal on the boat was excellent, but we were all pretty hungry by the time it was served.

-The FAQ on our trip states that "ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of these 30 European countries (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/who-should-apply_en#ETIAS-countries) and is a requirement as of 2024." This is actually not a requirement yet. I had researched this before, but I still had some last minute panic when I read it on the KimKim website.

I would like to note that our tour guide in Santorini (Tonya) and our guide and driver in Crete (Alex and Stefanos) were excellent. They were patient with my kids and were flexible when we needed a little extra time to let them burn some energy.

Activity Reviews

Young Heroes: a Family Mythology Tour

Athens

This tour was fun and informative about Athens and the Acropolis. My oldest daughter is very interested in Greek Mythology so we anticipated it being perfect for her. I guess we didn't really think that through, because a large part of the tour is hearing the Greek stories and she already knew them all. I would have appreciated a more abbreviated version of the myths when the guide realized that one kid knew them all and the younger daughter was a little bored. The guide did a good job involving the kids in the tour, asking them questions and using props, etc.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I feel like she could have read the room a little and realized some of the stories could be shortened.

Transport

I loved that our hotel was so close to the tour and we could walk the entire thing.

The Ultimate Delphi Day Trip from Athens

Greece

This was a very long tour/day. I don't know if it was worth it with our 11 & 7 year old. We saw some interesting things and the guide did a great job explaining the history, but the amount of driving was a little overwhelming.

Sea & Land Sunset Tour Winter 2025

Santorini

We loved this tour! Land: Tonya was amazing. She shared so many great facts and was patient with my kids. Sea: So great, so beautiful. The boat is very comfortable and did not feel crowded even with about 15 people on board. The meal was really delicious and there were drinks available all the time. Probably 80% of the ride was very smooth and pleasant. The last portion as you are coming into port was a little rough. Not extreme but if you are prone to motion sickness I recommend some dramamine or Zofran.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cave of Zeus & Knossos Palace with Lassithi Plateau from East

Greece

This was a fun tour. Alex is full of facts and stories and great with kids. The roadside picnic (and Raki) was especially fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our vehicle was very nice and spacious. My daughter was able to lay down when her car sickness was really bad.

Crete Sightseeing: Rethymno - Argiroupolis - Kournas Lake - Chania from West & Her

Greece

Again, Alex and Stefanos make a great team. They were so kind and helpful to my daughter who had a stomach bug and stopped at a pharmacy to find us some medication. This was a fun way to travel from Heraklion to Chania with several great views and stops along the way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Had a marvellous time in Greece. Siena was an amazing guide, and especially strong when we went along with her recommendations. My kids still remember Kalamata, the trips and the great local guides to this day. Accommodation in Kalamata was spot on, and the trips exactly right. Athens itself was good, but not at the same level, the hotel was, given the price, not the best value, and while the trips were good they were also a bit overrun.

Overall: a great experience

The customer service I received from everyone was excellent. All the guides were very friendly and knowledgeable.
I was disappointed in the content of our tour. I specifically asked for a tour centered around the "Percy Jackson" materials, books, movies, TV shows dealing with Greek mythology. I understand it is difficult to separate mythology from history and architecture but the majority of our tours dealt with history and architecture, even religion and geology. It was mostly our first day in Athens that covered mythology. I believe this was just a cookie cutter tour taken off the shelf that focused on Greece's main attractions, there was no customization.
The accommodations were excellent, everything was timed very well but for the very expensive price paid I would have hoped to get what I asked for, a mythology based tour and I did not.

This is our second time traveling with Kim Kim and it won’t be our last. I had planned and booked out a trip with Angelica and then 10 days before our trip. My husband broke his foot. We still wanted to travel, but suddenly all the hiking around for a walking tourist seemed problematic. I contacted Angelica and she moved around an entire week of complicated logistics so that my husband could have a more comfortable time. We really appreciate it.

The sweet home hotel in Athens was clean and comfortable. It has absolutely outstanding breakfast. We enjoyed all our tours and driving excursions. We were especially surprised by how magnificent Delphi was. Somehow we hadn’t wrapped our minds around it beforehand, and we found it absolutely thrilling to be there.

Overall we were delighted with our adventures with our teens in Athens and definitely recommend Kimkim

This trip with my sister was the exact balance of structure and freedom. I am in the process of booking another trip with KimKim because of the professionalism and ability to treat me/my sister as human beings and not just business partners.

I would highly recommend this company and specifically Sienna who helped my sister and I enjoy one of the most unforgettable vacations in Greece.

Next up is Normandy France.

Hotel Review

Chania Inn

Chania

Authenticity & Character

I still cannot believe how awesome this was and for the price

Location

Awesome

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ancient Athens Acropolis and Mythology Walk

Athens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-Guided Neighborhoods Walk

Athens

Quality of Experience

Winery Dinner Under the Stars Experience

Chania

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I’m

Transport

Self-Guided Chania Old Town Walk

Chania

Explore the South Beaches of Crete from Chania

Chania

Imbros Gorge Hike

Chania

The Gorge was great. The bus ride and pickup process was weird

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The KimKim team was on top of it all from the get go. They very much listened to what we wanted and we got a great itinerary. Besides the beauty of the Greek landscape, the sights we saw were sublime. What made it all even better were the wonderful guides we had. Special shout outs to our hiking guide Helen who provided us with a country lunch of home made goat cheese, olives and bread, Maria who shared her incredible knowledge during our 6 hour tour of Athens and the Acropolis, and Ekaterina who was an enthusiastic fountain of knowledge for our tours of Mycenae and Epidaurus. Our drivers were great and very service oriented. And the hotels were well located and well appointed. KimKim was with us every step of the way. We will definitely use the service again.

Activity Reviews

Guided Olive Grove Hike to Chrisso Village

Delphi

The guide was amazing and we had a wonderful day absorbing the countryside. It was a terrific counterpoint to the afternoon that we spent at Delphi. One of the best days we have ever had on any vacation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Acropolis & Highlights Walk with Food Tastings

Athens

Our guide Maria was terrific. She had a degree in the Classics so was incredibly knowledgeable. Her explanations were so great that they served us well when we came back to Athens for our last evening and went to the Acropolis museum. She was an excellent guide who spends her free time going on other tours so she can learn and grow in her job. The dedication paid off for us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Mycenae & Epidaurus Day Trip

Nafplio

Ekaterina was a stellar guide. Deeply knowledgeable, very enthusiastic and a lot of fun. She was incredibly dedicated and we learned so much from her about the architecture and how the Greeks did it (or how we still often do not know how they did it). We appreciated the time allotted to tour the ruins on our own, armed with the thorough overview. It was a good way to do the tours.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I utilized KimKim to plan our trip to Greece in 2023, and by "plan" I mean input our preferences and let our specialist do all the work. Our local specialist, Amalia, was absolutely superb at turning our goals and interests into an unforgettable reality that took us all the way from the Acropolis in Athens, Delphi in Arachova, to the centuries old Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Meteora by the town of Kalambaka. The guides that she found for us were excellent; they were extremely knowledgeable, informative, and personable. The overnight locations were exactly what we asked for, and transportation setup was essentially flawless. Amalia managed all of this without ever taking us over-budget. The trip was phenomenal and one that my wife and I will never forget. Thank you KimKim team, especially you, Amalia, for helping us make our trip to Greece such a memorable experience. We look forward to using KimKim for more trips in the future.

Yiannis John spiro yiannis were all excellent guides with expertise in greek culture food
and history They really show their mastery of living the greek life

Hotel Reviews

Kydon, The Heart City Hotel Chania

Chania

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathrooms

DOM Boutique Hotel

Heraklion

Staff was helpful about the city

Authenticity & Character

In the middle of the city

Location

Next to coast

Staff

Knowledgeable about city

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathrooms clean

The Editor Hotel Athens

Athens

The Editor Hotel in Athens was a nice place to start the trip. The breakfast was nice, and the staff were very helpful in giving directions around the city which was much needed in a big city like Athens. It was comfortable for my stay.

Activity Reviews

Acropolis of Athens Small-group Afternoon Walking Tour

Athens

Guide was excellent

Quality of Experience

Knowledge of guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Answered questions

Transport

Safety

Free Afternoon in Athens

Athens

John was excellent

Quality of Experience

Thorough and explain everything

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledge

Transport

Safety

Private Guided Athens Food Tour

Athens

John was excellent

Quality of Experience

Explanations excellent

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Thorough explanations

Transport

Safety

The Ultimate Food Tour Of Chania Villages

Chania

Yiannis was excellent

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledge

Transport

Safety

Knossos Palace Small-group Mythological Tour

Greece

The Knossos Palace Small-group Mythological Tour was the only time I was with a few more people, and it was very informative. I learned so much about Greek mythology, including stories about Zeus, Fina, and the Minotaur. It was a dream experience.

Antonis planned an amazing trip for our family. I'm writing this review a little late, but even 2 years later we all talk about how this was hands down our best vacation EVER. It was truly special. We would of never known about these fabulous, boutique style hotels. We did not have to think about a single thing as Antonis planned all the details. There was a transfer planned at every location, which made it so easy for a family of 5. We aren't usually the type of people that plans things ahead or use a travel agent, this was the first and definitely won't be our last. Pairing people with local specialist is such a great idea, because these specialists know the ins and outs as they are locals and can truly give you a unique experience. Thank you, Antonis!!

This was something that I had been planning to do, a history trip with my son to Greece and the kimkim team brought to reality. Our trip starter in Athens- as we booked Ancient Athens Acropolis & Mythology walk that explained the history of The Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus. Proceeded on a day trip to Delphi, driving through the mainland to visit the Temple of Apollo and Mount Parnassus. Our driver and G-guide were fantastic and we had long conversations on the history as we drove. After it was Nafplio to visit the Palamidi Fortress- Venetian’s fort and then off to Mycenae and the Lion Gate along with the Cyclopean Walls, just awesome the history the land. Then it was Epidaurus and the 4th century BCE amphitheater still used for concerts and festivals along with the Healing Center, The Temple of Asklipeos. From there off to Sparta for the Sparta History Walk, the Tomb of Leonidas and the museum of the Olive & Greek Olive Oil. I would like to press my appreciation to Ntina our local guide in Sparta from Latonia Travel, her knowledge and enthusiasm for her native town and history that made our trip just that much better. The kimkim team were fantastic with Siena bring our vision to reality and Lea the in country support that was there for anything we may need.

We had a wonderful trip from start to finish and everywhere in between. Angela took care of everything! The accommodations, the tours, the transfers, the reservations were all made to our specifications and if something changed, Angela took care of it immediately. We had piece of mind every step of the way that we were and would be taken care of and that is priceless. Would recommend to anyone traveling abroad! Thank you again!

Hotel Reviews

Four Streets Athens

Athens

Great apartment! Great location! Safe! Would definitely recommend

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Azure Villa Santorini

Santorini

It is the off season and the villa was closed. The couple who met us. Had not opened it up prior and made sure everything was working. It seemed as they had actually never been there. They couldn’t even find the breaker to the lights. Once everything was in working order, we really enjoyed our stay. The views from the villa are amazing!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Olive Green

Heraklion

Great spot. About a block away from all the shopping and food you could ever want. Breakfast was fantastic for a hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Very modern. Not traditional

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Zoe Garden Home

Spata Athens

We were only here for a short time but it felt like home from the moment we got there. The host is so inviting and friendly. Providing many different touches to make us feel welcome!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Delicious Athens Food Tour

Greece

Elizabeth is amazing! Showed us and fed us so many many things!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour

Winter Panoramic Tour 24 - 25

Santorini

Great to see all the different sights of the island and hear some history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Babas and Yanis are great!

Transport

Tailored Private tour

Santorini

Our travel advisor planned most of this but then we changed a couple of things along the way. We added the lighthouse and red sand beach. It was great to be able to have the basic tour and then add more things that we liked.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Babas and Yanis are great!

Transport

Crete Sightseeing: Rethymno - Argiroupolis - Kournas Lake - Chania from West & Her

Greece

Great guide and great information. We learned so much and saw so much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

These guys were phenomenal! Watch out for the “evil” table at the end. 😂

Transport

Cave of Zeus & Knossos Palace with Lassithi Plateau from East

Greece

The mountains of Crete are a completely different world. We would have never known about. Beautiful views! Beautiful history! Beautiful people!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating! Great guides all together!

Transport

Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Greece

Great tour. Wonderful explanation of the history and mythology.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour

Private round transfer anywhere in Santorini

Santorini

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Memorable Winter Getaway to Greece: A Vegetarian Family's Delight

Our family of four recently embarked on an unforgettable 10-day winter vacation to Greece, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. As vegetarians, we were thrilled with the diverse and delicious food options throughout our trip.

Traveling During Winter:
Visiting Greece in the off-season was a fantastic choice. While the weather was chilly with occasional rain, the festive atmosphere of Christmas made up for it. The lack of tourist crowds allowed us to explore iconic sites and picturesque towns at a relaxed pace. Some shops were closed, but this added to the charm of discovering hidden local gems.

Hotel Highlights:

Bohemian Suites, Athens: This boutique hotel was brimming with historical charm. Its central location made it easy to access local sights and restaurants, and the personalized service was exceptional.

Daydream Suites, Santorini: The name says it all! Luxurious and boasting a view that will forever be etched in our minds, this was a true highlight of the trip.

Dom Boutique, Heraklion: A comfortable stay with great accessibility to the city square. It struck a perfect balance between convenience and charm.

Casa Delfino, Chania: A luxurious hotel steeped in history and located right in the heart of the old town. The ambiance was unmatched, and the service impeccable.

All hotels served delightful breakfasts, tailored to our vegetarian preferences, setting the tone for each day.

Tours and Activities:
The guided tours were well-organized and insightful.

In Athens, the mythology tour was interesting but didn’t include the museum visit, something we realized later. Private museum tours are a must for a richer experience.

The private tour of Delphi was a standout, and having a knowledgeable guide elevated the visit significantly.

Our journey from Heraklion to Chania with Joanna was extraordinary. She is a treasure trove of historical knowledge and made the drive enjoyable with fascinating stories and insights. Crete’s hospitality, especially from its locals, left a lasting impression on us.

Travel Planning:
Angela from Kimkim deserves special mention for her meticulous planning. Every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully crafted, including historical and cultural tours, transit arrangements, restaurant reservations, and free time for leisure. Her precision ensured our trip ran seamlessly, earning her our highest recommendation.

Overall Experience:
Greece in winter exceeded our expectations. The combination of festive vibes, historical wonders, luxurious accommodations, exceptional local cuisine, and heartfelt hospitality made this trip one for the books. Our overall rating: 4.7/5.0. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Greece off-season!

We loved the pacing of the itinerary that Ionnis built for us as well as the excellent hotels he recommended. Our guide Julia at Delphi was super patient when we were delayed by a road closure, Christine told the best stories in our group tour of the Aceopolis, and Sophia at Olympia was able to be 'nerdy' with me over the archaeology of the place. The Niche hotel in Athens was a bright spot with its views and excellent rooftop restaurant, Arachova felt like a magical little town and the Kaiafas Lake Hotel had the warmest customer service imaginable. The 3sixty was centrally located and made exploring Nafplio easy! This was a trip of a lifetime and I can't wait to adventure with kimkim again!

Hotel Reviews

Niche Hotel Athens

Athens

Excellent customer service, beautiful rooftop bar/restaurant, and centrally located!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very accomodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

Almond House Suites Arachova - Adults Only

Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra

This place feels like a bed and breakfast in the best way! On the edge of town so noises won't keep you awake but still walking distance with some stairs, amazing views, great hospitality. Wish we had stayed a few extra days!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kaiafas Lake Hotel

Zacharo

Kaiafas Lake Hotel was charming, especially with the owner's personal touch at breakfast, which made us feel like family. It was heartwarming and made our stay very special during the off-season.

3Sixty Hotel & Suites

Nafplio

3Sixty Hotel & Suites in Nafplio was very professional and at a great location. It allowed us ample opportunity to explore the charming port city by foot, making it a fun and interesting stay.

Sofitel Athens Airport

Athens

Sofitel Athens Airport was convenient for our needs, being an airport hotel. It served its purpose well.

Activity Reviews

Explore the Ancient Wonders of Delphi

Delphi

The Delphi tour was a fantastic experience. Despite a delay, the guide was super kind and waited for us. The exploration of the ancient wonders of Delphi was insightful, and our guide enriched the experience with their expertise.

Private Guided Visit to Ancient Olympia

Greece

The Guided Visit to Ancient Olympia was exceptional. Our guide, Sophia, shared incredible insights and had a deep knowledge of Olympia's history. It was one of my favorite activities because we shared a special interest and got to explore in-depth.

Savory Excursion of Nemea Vineyard Visits

Nafplio

The Savory Excursion of Nemea Vineyard Visits was a great experience, even though it was non-ancient related. Visiting two very different wineries was fascinating, and both offered unique tastings. The tour was so enjoyable that we ended up purchasing five bottles of wine to take home!

Ancient Athens Acropolis and Mythology Walk

Athens

We only had one group tour, which was the Ancient Athens Acropolis and Mythology Walk, and honestly, it was great. The guide was knowledgeable, and it was well organized. A wonderful way to explore the historical sites of Athens.

We loved everything about this trip from start to finish. Working with Eleni was a real pleasure with such a personable connection from the very first phone call. Eleni understood our requests and presented the most efficient itinerary to see all the ancient Greek sites we requested with so many options layered in based on local knowledge that we never would have figured out by ourselves. Highly recommend giving her a call and working with her within your budget to have the trip of a lifetime. The administration and organization of the whole Kim Kim experience were flawless. The guides were passionate and highly knowledgeable.

Hotel Review

Kontokali Bay

Corfu

The setting is idyllic, overlooking the Ionian Sea watching the sail boats. Great food options. Clean, well maintained rooms, beach and pool. Nice spa. Friendly staff. Loved the inspiring yoga teacher. Great place for R&R with good proximity to Corfu town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

15 mins cab ride from Corfu town for great restaurants and authentic atmosphere for a little escape from the heavenly oasis

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the welcome basket and treats, fresh towels and general pampering offered at the hotel such a treat!

Activity Reviews

Explore the Smart Home of Ancient Greeks

Athens

Unexpected fun afternoon spent in this little unique museum.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sea Kayak above sunken Epidaurus

Nafplio

So fun to spend a morning kayaking over ancient ruins. Made special by a birthday cupcake treat at the beach picnic from the guides for a birthday we were celebrating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This is very late in coming but as many of us make our decisions using other people's reviews, I think Angela should get the recognition that she deserves.

We had a great time in Greece. Angela took the hassle completely out of trip planning. She listened to our wishes and catered to us. With 3 kids, we didn't want the nightclubs of Mikonos or Santorini. Angela chose Milos and Naxos for us, planned our tours and excursions from Athens and arranged all accommodations, transportation and tickets. She even helped us check in for our ferries. She got it all right.

The drivers were wonderful. They were all prompt and ready with cold bottles of water. The accommodations also excellent. Erianna Suites in Milos was our favorite. We had the freedom to do what we liked and the structure to make it all work.

Thank you!

Angela organized an amazing trip for our family. We all enjoyed the tours, guides, hotels and culinary experiences during our stay in Athens, Naxos and Tinos.

Hotel Reviews

Sweet Home Hotel

Athens

Excellent location in the heart of Athens close to the Parthenon and "Old Athens". Very friendly and helpful staff with wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easily walkable to central Athens sights, museums, restaurants and shops

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Panos Studios

Naxos Town

Wonderful for our family vacation. Two suites met our needs to relax and cook when we wanted to

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the beach and short walk to center of Naxos with lots of restaurants very close by

Staff

Always helpful to our requests

Cleanliness & Comfort

Coocono Villas

Tinos

Beautiful Villas with nice welcome gift basket.

Authenticity & Character

Very Chic new contemporary design with wonderful views of the bay and Mykonos

Location

Short walk to the beach and easy walk to old town Tinos to visit restaurants.

Staff

All were very attentive and responded to our requests immediately

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera

Vravrona

Very slow check in. Hotel was billed as updated but rooms and all facilities are very tired. Food was very mediocre

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

took forever to order a drink in the outdoor lounge

Cleanliness & Comfort

everything

Activity Reviews

Bike & Food Tasting tour - conventional bike or e-bike

Athens

Very good overview of old Athens.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Athens Coastal Bike tour - conventional bike

Athens

Wonderful way to see more of Athens than just the core.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was very helpful explaining the areas that we visited

Transport

Once Upon A Time in Naxos (a kids family tour!)

Naxos

George was wonderful with the little girls

Quality of Experience

Enthusiastic George

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide for the day was extremely helpful explaining the areas that we visited

Transport

Very Comfortable transport van

Private Cook Service in Naxos

Naxos

Food was fantastic and Maria was excellent explaining all dishes

Quality of Experience

Maria included the little girls when making some of the dishes. She brought small aprons and Chef hats for them:)

Private Half Day Catamaran Cruise

Naxos

A wonderful tour over to Paros and great swimming in two bays.

Quality of Experience

The Catamaran was very clean and well kept by the Captain

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Both the Captain and his mate were very personable and helpful with everyone. Snacks and drinks were a very nice touch.

Transport

A wonderful calm transfer across and back from Naxos to Paros

Naxos Culinary Tour

Greece

The cook and her husband were very gracious hosts and we had a fun dinner with them, the guide and some unexpected friends of the cook

Quality of Experience

Very helpful explaining how we could help prepare the dishes

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Van was a bit tired but clean

Tinos Full Day Tour

Tinos

Excellent tour of the small island. A great way to learn about the history of Tinos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful answering any questions we had at all of the stops.

Transport

Cooking Experience - Meet the Locals

Greece

A fantastic lunch in the countryside with a wonderful cook.

Quality of Experience

Everyone (including the little girls) helped make the various dishes. Great explanations of how to make everything

Food

To be able to taste wonderful Greek cuisine that everyone had a hand in preparing. Lunch with the host and her husband overlooking the sea was special

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overall terrific for education, information, hotels and transportation. Food tour in Athens terrible and something the guide was not familiar with. Wine tasting in Athens had very mediocre wines. Food tour in Thessaloniki also poor. Educational/ touring components good. Mount Olympus tour out of Thessaloniki exceptional.

Hotel Reviews

xenodocheio Milos 5*

Athens

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Antigon Urban Chic Hotel

Thessaloniki

Beautiful. Space very tight

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Space an issue

Tsikeli Hotel Meteora

Meteora

Great little hotel in an out of the way location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

COCO-MAT Athens BC

Athens

Lovely staff beautiful hotel. Great view of. The acropolis

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Space tight in the room

Activity Reviews

Private Acropolis & Highlights Walk with Food Tastings

Athens

Very informative on archeology and history. Charming. Not a oerson who should be giving food tour . Selections marginal.

Private Plaka & Anafiotika Exploration with Wine Tasting

Athens

The woman was lovely, the secrets of Plaka and Anafiotika was fascinating. The wines were very mediocre. We are at a luxury level tour and the wine selection was not appropriate.

Transfer to Meteora with en route Activity to Delphi Archeological Site

Greece

Charming and informative driver to Delhi. Driver fro Delphi to Meteora less talkative but still lovely.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Hiking Experience to Meteora's Hermit Caves

Meteora

Trip was enjoyable. Young man leading hike. Original destination too difficult for us, but alternative was great.

Thessaloniki Food Walk

Thessaloniki

While he knew history and local color, the food was not great . When we took your food tour in Portugal, we sampled foods from different parts of the city, different cultures represented there. Instead in Thessaloniki we sat at a restaurant for most of the time without even a suggestion as to what we should order. No history of the place we were eating etc.

Private Dion & Mount Olympus Day Trip

Thessaloniki

Awesome day. Both driver and guide very informative and interesting people. The guide even invited us to his apartment afterwards. A wonderful day. Highly recommend.

All Greek English Speaking Private Guides made our 01-03 Nov Athens Experiences, 03-05 Nov 2024 Meteora, 05-07 Nov 2024 Thessaloniki unforgetable, incredible, amazing and unique experiences for my wife and I. Same true with our 11-Nov 2024 Aegina with Andreas.

Coco-Mat was a fantastic 5 star hotel for food, location and room to Athens City Center but Wifi was less than stellar for work and reception. Divani Palace for 03-05 Nov 2024 at Kalambaka and Makedonia Palace were both outstanding for food , location, and room to the city centers to both Kalambaka and Thessaloniki.

Hotel Review

Herodion Hotel

Acropolis, Athens

Herodion had outstanding food, location, and service to Acropolis and Athens City Center, but wifi was sub standard.

Authenticity & Character

Incredible authenticity and character.

Location

Next to Acropolis location, restaurants, shops and museum.

Staff

Gave personal attention to our needs.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean

Activity Review

Private Hydra Island Day Trip

Athens

Andreas made our family trip of seven unforgetable. Tour all over Aegina was amazing. All 7 adults of various ages had an incredible memorable time.

Quality of Experience

Incredible experience.. Andreas and the three drivers.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides personalized the needs for the tour. We are able to see the entire island including Saint Nectarios Church and Monastery.

Transport

Professional and safe with traffic challenges.

Love, Love, Love Gustavo and his support staff. This company is great and exceeded my expectations. Gustavo worked with me and my budget to make a dream come true. My husband and I were truly pleased with every aspect. Even when one tour was cancelled (no part of Kimkim - weather-related reasons, we quickly received a refund). My Kimkim team stayed in constant contact and quickly responded before the trip and throughout the trip when I needed them. Everything about the trip flowed smoothly and was perfect. Definitely recommend this company and Gustavo for Greece travel. Can't wait to use them again for other trips.

Hotel Review

Senia Hotel

Paros

Beautiful hotel, clean, relaxing and 5-star comfortable. Views are amazing; as is the staff, room, infinity pools, restaurant/bar (delicious breakfast!). Close to the beach, port, town-center, fresh restaurants and shopping. Can't wait to come back. Highly recommend for the perfect stay!

Authenticity & Character

Totally island Greek

Location

Walkable close to everything you want

Staff

Attentive and always available.

Cleanliness & Comfort

5-star classy and comfortable

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Foodie Walk

Athens

Unfortunately, we were not able to try out all the places listed because we started late and many were closed. Missed the market and would have liked more local restaurants with local specialities. The ones that we tried though, were spot-on!

Quality of Experience

We were rushed (our fault) and should have allowed more time. The recommended tastings were great but we were not able to learn about the food and its culture (busy or unknowledgeable staff). Would have liked to learn and try more locally-produced foods (olives, ouzo, wine/beer, meze, cheeses, etc.).

Small Cyclades Sailing Day Trip

Paros

Canceled due to weather. Kimkim quickly refunded.

Quality of Experience

Cancellation notice, transportation options, backup activity

Transport

Arranged transport to/from the port options would have been helpful (or bus availability).

Self-Guided Day Trip to Local Villages

Paros

We reviewed the itinerary and it looked amazing. However, we were so comfortable in Naoussa and the Senia Hotel we never took the tour, and just enjoyed the relaxation and getting to know the town.

Acropolis Temples, Ruins & Museum Visit

Athens

Excellent guide! Kept up with the time, but allowed for ample breaks (much needed climbing the Acropolis, which was amazing and a must-do). Awesome knowledge and historical architecture. Pleased Greece keeps up the restoration after 3,000+ years. A full day could be spent in the Acropolis Museum. Very inspiring.

Quality of Experience

Life-bending

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledge and compassion. Guide was passionate about her work

Visit the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio, with sunset & stargazing experience

Athens

Absolutely AWESOME! Even cold, windy weather couldn't keep us away. George Kokkos as tour guide/driver was AMAZING! He was so friendly, intelligent and knowledgeable about all of Greece, a pleasure to be with. He could explain history and facts about Greek mythology, philosophy, history - more than we could take in. The astrologer and his guide were also very friendly and knowledgeable. He made constellations look easy, and I can even point some out now that I did not know about. This was truly a tour of a lifetime!

Quality of Experience

The Temple of Poseidon and stargazing with an astrologer was totally outstanding. Far exceeded our expectations.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

George was kind, giving and super smart. And a good driver. We have a new friend

Transport

Safe driver

Self-Guided Highlights Walk

Athens

Everything was right in place and perfect.

Quality of Experience

Everything

We used kimkim to help us organize a 2-week trip for 4 (2 couples) to Greece, and we had a fabulous time! Irene was the specialist we worked with and she put together a full plan in a very short time that included hotels, tour guides, entry tickets to museums and sites, ferry tickets, private ground transportation and driver, and experiences such as sailing, a cooking class, wine tasting, and more. We were primarily in Athens, Delphi, Galaxidi, Nafplio, and the island of Hydra, but saw many historical sites and other points of interest along the way, such as Mycenae, Epidavros, the temple of Poseidon, and the Corinth Canal.

Everything went smoothly at every step in the planning and during the trip. We were interviewed early on to establish a price range for the trip and Irene stayed within the agreed-upon range delivering on everything we requested. Communication was very good as we worked out the plans, with daily communication by email as well as phone. Once the trip was underway, kimkim provided both a WeChat group and a support number where we could quickly reach them in the event of any issues.

One of us is gluten intolerant and Irene took care to ensure that every hotel we stayed at provided gluten-free alternatives for breakfasts, the chef for the private cooking class adjusted the menu accordingly, and that the restaurants she reserved for us (which were excellent) had gluten-free options.

It cost a bit more to have someone make the plans for us, but we felt the quality of the service and the trip were well worth the additional cost, not to mention the ease of having someone who knows the country help line up all of the plans and make sure they worked together seamlessly.

We will definitely use them again!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Miramare

Galaxidi

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights and loved it. It is a small hotel in Galaxidi, a block from the harbor and restaurants. The staff are friendly and they serve a wonderful breakfast in the courtyard of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Charming, great staff, wonderful breakfast in the courtyard.

Location

Central location a block from the harbor and restaurants.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Herodion Hotel

Acropolis, Athens

Very nice hotel in a great location at the foot of the Acropolis on a quiet street. There is a rooftop restaurant and bar with a great view of the Parthenon. The Acropolis museum is a block away as is the Plaka neighborhood. Would definitely recommend it and stay there again. Delicious and extensive breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character

Nicely updated. In addition to the rooftop view of the Parthenon, it has a beautiful bar and restaurant area in an atrium on the ground floor.

Location

At the foot of the Acropolis with an amazing view of the Parthenon from the rooftop restaurant and bar. One block to the Acropolis museum and the Plaka neighborhood. On a quiet street, so not a lot of noise.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hydroussa Hotel Hydra

Hydra

Beautiful old (but updated) hotel in a central but quiet location. Friendly and helpful staff. Extensive breakfast buffet with indoor and outdoor eating areas. The queen bed was 2 single beds pushed together.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful old hotel, nicely updated.

Location

Centrally located and short walk to the port and restaurant area but also away from the noise of the nightlife so it was quiet at night.

Staff

Staff was very pleasant and went out of their way to offer help.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable.

Leto Nuevo Hotel

Nafplio

Very nice, clean, and updated hotel in the old town. The old town is on a hill and the hotel is up the hill, so there are many steps to climb to get to it when on foot, but there is an area where cars are allowed a block away which makes it easier to move luggage to/from a car or taxi. Furthermore, as it is on the hill it is much quieter than other hotels in the area would be. The steps lead down to the historical area and waterfront, where there are many good restaurants. The hotel provides a very nice breakfast buffet. It also offers same-day laundry service at a reasonable price, which is very helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very good location for exploring Nafplio, but steep staircases to get into the central area and back.

Staff

Very friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Avra Hotel

Rafina, Attica

The main attraction of this hotel is that it is located by the port where the ferries come through and near to the airport (to which it offers a shuttle service) o it is good for people in transit. Rooms are small, but clean and comfortable, and there is a nice breakfast buffet. Wifi was poor and intermittent, so we constantly lost connection and had to reconnect.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location supports people in transit to/from ferries or the airport, it is not a destination hotel.

Staff

Front desk staff were perfunctory. Staff in the restaurant were warm and welcoming.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lunch with Olive Grove View

Greece

We did not know what to expect from this activity and were pleasantly surprised. One of the owners sat with us to talk us through the history of the family olive farm. He explained to us differences in olives based on when and how they are harvested and talked about differences in olive oils. He provided samples of olives and of the oil to taste so we could appreciate the differences, along with a nice lunch that included olive preparations and wine. The lunch was in a beautiful location overlooking a valley of olive trees and, out over the water to Galaxidi. We were on a shaded veranda, which provided a nice break from the sun.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Acropolis Hill & Museum Tour

Athens

Our tour guide Tina met us at our hotel and walked with us the short distance to the Acropolis. We were scheduled to be with her for 4 hours to tour the Acropolis hill and the museum, but she stayed with us for over 5 hours. Tina is very knowledgeable and gave us a detailed explanation of everything we were seeing, putting it all in a historical context. She pointed out places of interest in the city that could be seen from the Acropolis Hill and patiently fielded many questions from our group of 4. She was the best of the 4 tour guides we had during our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Tina was excellent.

Half-Day Nafplio Sailing Tour

Nafplio

This was a semi-private outing for 5 hours. The 4 of us were joined by 3 others. They picked us up at the port very near by our hotel. There was ample room on the boat. We sailed out from Nafplio around the coast to Tolo and back, stopping in several places to allow for swimming, though it was too cold for most to get in. Teodoro and Mario were wonderful crew and made us all at home. They served fruit, snacks, and lunch with wine or beer. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. We motored for 3/4 of the trip and went on sail power for the balance. Overall it was a great way to spend a day in Nafplio. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Cooking Class in Nafplio

Nafplio

This private class was one of the highlights of our trip! Costas and his wife were welcoming and warm. We prepared 4 dishes with everyone participating and Costas provided pointers on food prep that we will continue to benefit from. One of our party is gluten-free and Costas had adjusted the menu accordingly and also provided them with gluten-free bread. Two of our party never cook or do food prep, but he made them comfortable with slicing and dicing as well as braising and making a delicate lemon sauce. They discovered how enjoyable cooking can be. The food was absolutely delicious, and possibly the best meal we had in Greece. We made stuffed zucchini with lemon sauce as an appetizer, a lamb dish (with the lamb falling-off-the-bone tender), a Greek salad, and a frozen yoghurt desert. My husband does not like lamb but loved this dish, making him re-think his approach to lamb. Costas had us prepare a special take on a Greek salad that included a cool cucumber and basil soup, and it was fabulous. We had 4 Greek wines paired with each of the four dishes, and Costas explained to us how and why each wine was appropriate for that dish.

Quality of Experience

A fabulous experience with the best meal we had in Greece!

Food

Fabulous food with a great wine pairing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Costas and his wife are warm and great teachers. He is a professional chef so he really knows what he is doing and shares tricks of the trade.